Adoption Process
Adoptions are completed in person on a first-come, first-served basis. Review our adoption process below for more detailed information.
Adoptable animals can be visited at all of our campus locations from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. To adopt a pet, keep these tips in mind:
- Adopters must be at least 18 years old and present valid, government-issued photo identification.
- If you already know which pet(s) you'd like to meet or adopt, please check in when you arrive on campus. An adoption counselor will then meet with you on a first-come, first-served basis, introduce you to the pet(s) you're interested in and help complete your adoption.
- We suggest browsing our adoptable animals on our website prior to your visit, but you are always welcome to look in person when you arrive!
- If you don’t find a match on our website or when you visit, please check animals looking for homes through our rescue partners and by local families looking to rehome their pets.
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View Available Pets Online
Begin the process by viewing our website’s Available Pets page and finding an animal you’re interested in adopting!
Animal Introductions
San Diego Humane Society only completes dog-to-dog introductions (where an adoptable dog in our care meets a potential adopter’s resident dog) in special circumstances, based on the behaviors displayed by the dog(s) in our care or by the owned dog.
- Dog-to-Dog Introductions
- Cat-to-Cat Introductions
- Dog-to-Cat Introductions
- Children-to-Dog Introductions
Additional Considerations
Before bringing an additional pet into your home, we recommend assessing whether this will enrich your current pet’s life. We’re here to help! Our adoption counselors can answer questions and provide guidance during your visit.
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Visit Us in Person
All of our campus locations are open for walk-in adoptions during regular adoption hours. Feel free to visit us anytime! Here are a few things to note when you come in to adopt:
- Adopters must be at least 18 years old and present a government-issued photo identification.
- Adoptions are on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Please keep in mind that long wait times can occur, especially on weekends. We appreciate your patience as we provide thorough, individualized adoption consultations for each guest!
- Once you meet with an adoption counselor, completing the adoption process typically takes one hour.
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Complete the Adoption
If you've found a great match, an adoption counselor will walk you through the process of signing the adoption contract! If you would like to adopt, please be prepared to bring your new family member home the same day.
During the checkout process, you will have the opportunity to ask the adoption counselor questions about training and get tips on helping your new pet adjust to your home. If the animal you are interested in has any medical or behavioral conditions, we will also arrange a pre-adoption consultation with one of our veterinarians or trainers.
Resource Directory
We've compiled tips, tricks and resources to help you take the very best care of your pet. Whether it's training tips, wellness information or financial resources, we're here to answer your pet-related questions. If you need help finding the information you're looking for, please give us a call at 619-299-7012.
Adoption Discounts
Military Support
San Diego Humane Society is sensitive to the needs and pressures of servicemembers and their families — especially pet families! We are proud to offer special military pricing, including a 10% discount for active military and fee-waived adoptions for veterans.
Post Adoption Complimentary Veterinary Exam
Participating veterinary offices generously provide a complimentary vet exam when you adopt a pet from San Diego Humane Society. Simply choose a vet office, schedule an appointment and remember to bring your Complimentary Veterinary Exam certificate to your appointment.
Community Support Services
San Diego Humane Society helps people keep their pets by providing essential pet services and support to low-income pet families across San Diego County.
Adoption Policy
San Diego Humane Society’s mission to inspire compassion for people and animals is reflected in our adoption philosophy: Every pet has the right to a continuous and nurturing relationship with people who convey an enduring sense of love and care.
SDHS will care for more than 40,000 companion animals in the upcoming year; pets who come to us from the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, La Mesa, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista for a variety of reasons:
- Owners are no longer able to care for them.
- Other animal welfare partners needing assistance, transfer them.
- Pets are involved in cruelty cases.
- Pets are lost or abandoned.
Our adoption policy is designed to provide the best care for all animals in need of shelter, foster care, medical treatment and behavior rehabilitation.
The fundamental principles guiding this approach include:
We promote a respectful, conversation-based adoption program that strives to provide exceptional guest services, educate prospective adopters and assist in matching people with a pet who best suits their lifestyle expectations. Our trained adoption counselors are knowledgeable in animal behavior and offer their expertise in the matchmaking process — with the goal of assisting the adopter in choosing a pet who best fits their lifestyle, home environment and individual preferences. Ultimately, it is the adopter who will choose their new pet under the guidance of our counselors and in accordance with our adoption policy.
We ensure all pets receive special care and service. Each pet entering our shelter receives an examination by our professionally trained staff members. The exam may include:
- Vaccinations according to SDHS protocol.
- De-wormer.
- Flea treatment.
- Microchip identification – most pets are microchipped; not small animals such as hamsters.
- Spay or neuter surgery - All dogs, cats, rabbits and male chinchillas are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Guinea pigs, rats, hamsters and female chinchillas are not surgically sterilized due to the heightened anesthetic risk.
- Diagnostic services such as X-rays, ultrasounds and various types of surgeries through our campus hospitals.
There may be instances when an adoptable pet requires a medical consultation prior to being adopted in order to inform adopters of any known medical conditions. When available, we will include seven days of medications or prescription diets. For those medical conditions not detected while in our care, we encourage adopters to take advantage of the complimentary wellness exam provided by many community veterinarians and the free quote from Fetch Pet Insurance.
Incoming pets are evaluated according to the Asilomar Conditions Definitions for the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition as well as their known history, health and observed temperament.
Pets determined unhealthy and untreatable may also be placed up for adoption unless they are irremediably suffering or pose a safety risk to the community. Examples of unhealthy/untreatable pets who can be adopted by the community include hospice adoptions, pets with chronic health conditions or animals requiring complicated surgeries or behavior modification. There is no time limit for how long a healthy/treatable pet may remain available for adoption.
We collect adoption fees to assist in the daily care and on-going needs of each pet admitted to SDHS.
Adoption fees vary according to the type and age of the pet. Fees also are discounted or sometimes waived for special adoption events and military personnel. Based on research conducted by the ASPCA, fee-waived and conversation-based adoptions do not adversely impact pets. Their study showed that pet retention was 97 percent. Fees are also waived when pets are transferred from SDHS to one of our Rescue Partners.
“Love your new pet...or let us know. We're committed to finding adopters their best pet match.”
SDHS is proud to offer an Adoption Guarantee. If for any reason the adopter decides the adopted pet is not a successful addition to their home, we positively encourage the adopter to return their pet to any of our campuses without judgment or criticism.Debriefing with the adopter is critical as the information provided by the adopter at the time of return enables us to better understand the needs of the pet, determine a treatment plan and better anticipate expectations for successfully matching the pet with a future adopter. As a complimentary service, adopters are offered behavior assistance prior to returning the pet in hopes that we may help resolve issues.
Adoption Trial Program
Not quite ready to make it official? Our Adoption Trial Program lets you try out a new pet — before making the commitment. If you’re interested in adopting an adult pet, you can bring the animal home for up to 14 days to see how they fit into your family and routine. If things go well, you’ll finalize the adoption — and if it’s not the right match, we’ll be here to welcome the pet back. It’s a thoughtful way to make sure an adoption is a great fit for both you and your new companion.